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Added 3 October 2026

perform

/pəˈfɔːm/ verb

In Latin: fungor Wiktionary

verb Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about perform at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

To do (something); to execute.
The scientists performed several experiments.
To exhibit an expected pattern of behavior; to function; to work.
The new employee performs well.
Of a man, to be able to initiate or fulfill an act of sexual intercourse.

Origin

From Middle English parformen, performen (“to perform”), from Anglo-Norman performer, parfourmer, alteration of Old French parfornir, parfurnir (“to complete, accomplish, perform”), from par- + fornir, furnir (“to accomplish, furnish”), from Frankish *frummjan (“to accomplish, furnish”), from Proto-Germanic *frumjaną, *framjaną (“to further, promote”), from Proto-Indo-European *promo- (“in front, forth”), *per- (“forward, out”). Cognate with Old High German frummen (“to do, execute, accomplish, provide”), Old Saxon frummian (“to perform, promote”), Old English fremman (“to perform, execute, carry out, accomplish”). See also frame, from.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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